Gospel: December 9, 2023

(Saturday) 1st Week of Advent

Psalter: Week 1 / (Violet/White)

St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 147: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

1st Reading: Isaiah 30: 19-21, 23-26O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. When you cry, he will listen; when he hears, he will answer.

When the Lord has given you the bread of anguish and the water of distress, he, your teacher will hide no longer. Your own eyes will see him, and your ear will listen to his words behind you: “This is the way, walk in it.”

He will then give rain for the seed you sow and make the harvest abundant from the crops you grow. On that day your cattle will graze in wide pastures. Your beasts of burden will eat silage tossed to them with pitchfork and shovel.

For on the day of the great slaughter, when fortresses fall, streams of water will flow on every mountain and lofty hill.

The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven times greater, like the light of seven days, when Yahweh binds up the wounds of his people and heals the bruises inflicted by his blows.Gospel: Matthew 9: 35–10: 1, 5a, 6-8Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; and he cured every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds, he was moved with pity; for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest.”

Jesus called his Twelve disciples to him, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness.

Jesus sent these Twelve on mission, with the instructions: Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.

Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. Freely have you received, freely give.”Reflection:“In his kingdom, sadness will no longer be present.”

Sadness is part of the lot of human beings. Even people who seem to live charmed lives experience sadness. Some sadness is the result of our own actions. We hurt those we love. We fail to trust ourselves and others. We chase after things that cannot make us happy and are disappointed in the results of our efforts. But other causes of our sadness are beyond our control. We face illness or the loss of a loved one. We face forced migration with loss of him and separation from loved ones. Sometimes the pain and sadness seem overwhelming.

But God has promised that, in his kingdom, sadness will no longer be present. Weeping and tears will be no more. Those who mourn will be comforted and laugh again. Our Good Shepherd will care for us with compassion and keep us safe. In the presence of our Lord, we will know only joy.